Firefighting services are vital to the health of communities, and their work has never been more critical than it is today. Over the past ten years, national trends show a steady rise in the prevalence of fire incidents across the nation. At the same time, many departments face staff shortages and volunteers greatly outnumber career firefighters. To meet these challenges, it's crucial that first responders have the firefighter gear they need.
While fire EMS understand the value that rugged technology provides in the field, decision-makers faced with tight budgetary constraints may struggle to justify the cost of upgraded firefighting technologies. However, firefighter gear designed for use in the harshest environments allows for maximally efficient and effective deployments. This technology leads to better outcomes, saving departments both time and money in the long run.
TOUGHBOOK Firefighter Gear is Designed for Usability
To achieve the best results, firefighter gear needs to show value from the moment a call comes in. Mobile devices facilitate both intra-agency and interagency communications. This allows for better results and a better allocation of valuable resources. To achieve these goals, rugged devices process and disseminate real-time data such as GIS, 3D mapping, housing pre-plans, and more to provide firefighters with valuable resources.
- Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD): Dispatchers need to process information about real-time events and decide who to send to a scene. CAD helps dispatch cut through the chaos and allows better communication between fire, police, and EMS, leading to a more coordinated response.
- Maps: In a recent survey, 80% of firefighters confirmed their use of mapping and navigation technology when responding to calls. Maps help responders optimize routes to avoid traffic and improve response times. In addition, real-time mapping helps situational awareness by showing the positions of hydrants, personnel, and vehicles in and around the scene.
- Thermal Information: Enhanced awareness of fire behavior and hotspots allows firefighting crews to make more informed decisions. Smarter plans lead to better, safer outcomes for disaster victims and first responders alike.
- Adaptability with Advanced Technology: Advanced software and apps such as Florian by 3AM integrate all devices on an easy-to-use platform. Additional apps expand use cases and allow for greater adaptability across devices.
In addition to fire response apps and software, command can also utilize apps designed to streamline preparation and asset management. They can easily assess the state of devices, perform system and rig checks, and keep an eye on inventory management. This results in reduced waste and long-term cost savings.
Rugged Devices Meet Fire EMS Needs Better Than Consumer Devices
One factor that may deter decision-makers from investing in rugged laptops and tablets is the higher upfront cost when compared to many consumer devices. However, the benefits of rugged firefighter gear more than justify the upfront cost and even lead to long-term savings.
Unmatched On-Site Functionality
Fire EMS need their gear to be reliable in the most punishing environments. TOUGHBOOK rugged devices are designed for use in the harshest settings:
- Resistant to drops and rough usage
- Reliable in all weather conditions from extreme heat to blistering cold
- Holds up to dusty and ashy conditions
- Water resistance for use in rainy or wet settings and the ability to differentiate rain from touchscreen entries
- High visibility screens and glove touch functionality for easier on-site usage
Consumer Devices Lack the Reliability For Fire Response
TOUGHBOOK devices undergo unparalleled testing to confirm their durability and functionality. The result is that TOUGHBOOK produces laptops and tablets of the highest quality that greatly outperform consumer products:
- TOUGHBOOK has a 3% failure rate, up to 7.5x less often than consumer devices.
- TOUGHBOOK laptops fail at a 20% lower rate than consumer laptops; tablets fail at a 26% lower rate.
TOUGHBOOK also outperforms other rugged computers. Comparing failure rates, TOUGHBOOK is 72% more reliable than other rugged devices.
Stay Connected Anywhere
Performance is a must, but firefighter technology also can't afford to lose network connection in an emergency. TOUGHBOOK laptops and tablets are equipped with 5G and 4G LTE advanced multi-carrier mobile broadband and high-performing antenna modules for superior cell and Wi-Fi connectivity. They are also certified with major first responder networks such as FirstNet and Verizon Response Solutions to ensure reliable interagency communication.
Firefighter Gear You Can Trust
Among firefighters in the field, 85% viewed rugged devices as imperative over consumer devices. These trusted devices help with staff issues such as recruitment and retention. Especially among younger firefighters, there is an expectation that high-performance tech will be available to support them on their mission.
Different Use Cases Require Customizability
On-scene firefighters require different gear than dispatchers. In-vehicle solutions won’t be the same as what’s needed in office. TOUGHBOOK offers different options:
- TOUGHBOOK 40. 14” fully rugged laptop for maximal durability and computing power.
- TOUGHBOOK 55. 14” semi-rugged laptop offers flexibility to meet multiple use cases.
- 2-in-1 Designs. Our 12” TOUGHBOOK 33 and 10.1” TOUGHBOOK G2 provide laptop and tablet flexibility for optimal on-site use.
Long-Term Cost Savings on Gear for Firefighters
Superior durability and reliability translate to less time taking devices offline to resolve IT issues, boosting worker productivity. And when problems do arise, Panasonic ProServices and enhanced warranties ensure quick expert support and device replacements. “The Panasonic warranty and ProServices team are amazing,” says Hialeah fire department lieutenant Urbano Menendez, “and without that piece of mind, our department would not function nearly as well as it does.”
More productive workers and fewer device replacements create long-term savings over the life of devices.
Budget Flexibility with TOUGHBOOK As a Service (TaaS)
Even understanding the many benefits of rugged devices doesn’t mean departments will have available space in their CAPEX funding for new technology. TOUGHBOOK as a Service (TaaS) is designed to provide departments with budget flexibility through:
- Shifting funding from CAPEX to OPEX to open new funding options.
- Providing flexible terms that allow departments to pay monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
- Multiple plan options to fit specific needs: 36, 48, or 60 months.
- Available accessories, software, and services that can be added on an as-needed basis.
- Top-tier warranty.
TaaS allows departments to stay up to date with the firefighting gear their workers need while maintaining their budget flexibility.
Equipping First Responders with Firefighter Gear that Helps Them Succeed
Technology is an imperative tool for today’s firefighters. Rugged laptops and tablets provide them with the information they need to respond to chaos with confidence and greater situational awareness.
TOUGHBOOK understands the challenges firefighters face, which is why it's designed with those challenges in mind. Check out our fire EMS solutions to see more on how TOUGHBOOK helps firefighters succeed.
